The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-03-05
SHAYS' REBELLION.
The Mad Revolution Inaugurated In Massa-
chusetts Century Ago.

The Mad Revolution Inaugurated in Massa-
chusetts a Century Ago.
Daniel Shays had held captains
commission in the revolutionary war,
and does not seem to have had much
heart in the rebellion to which he has
given his name. When the war of the
revolution closed, Massachusetts was
in a wretched financial condition from
her efforts in the cause of independ-
ence. Her state debt was large, and
the pay of her soldiers was heavily in
arrears. Besides, she had under
taken payment of 100000 of
the debt of the Confederation. Com
merce and industry were PROSTATE.
Money, except deprecated papers, had
disappeared from circulation, and prices
OF the necessaries of living were eX-
orbitant While the people were inn
poverished, the courts and the lawyers
were kept busy in endeavoring to en-
force the payment of the debts.
In this condition of affairs popular
discomfort arose. AS there was no
surplus in the Massachusetts treasury
for pensions it was proposed that the
defenders of the country should be paid
out of the property that had been saved
in the war. The courts and the law.
yers were especial objects of resent
ment, and it was proposed in many
county conventions to abolish lawyers
and deprive them of the right to hold
Office. The advice was largely followed.
In many places courts were not per.
mitted to open their sessions, the Judges
were driven from the bench, and the
service of writs was INSTRUCTED. 1t was
proposed to issue irredeemable flat
money as legal tender for private debts,
and to repudiate the State debt alto
gether.
In the midst of the popular ferment
the Legislature met and the House
passed some of the most extravagant
measures of the malcontents, but they
were rejected by the Senate. This re.
sistance only increased the popular
fry, and an insurrectionary army Of
about two thousand men gathered in
Springfield, under command of Genera
Shays. Governor Bowdoin, who was
aroused by this formidable movement
at once called out the militia, undel
General Lincoln, and suspended the
writ of habeas corpus. In Springfield
the attempt to hold a session of cour
was prevented by the insurgents. Gen
eral Shepard, who commanded mill
tia force in Springfield, took possession
of the arsenal. On the 9th of January
1887, the army of the insurgent
marched upon the arsenal in con
temptuous defiance of the warning o
its commander. When the insurgent
advanced to the forbidden point, Gen
eral Shepard ordered his troops to fire
Four men fell from the discharge of {
howitzer, and three were killed. Upoi
this warm reception the rest fled in tn
utmost confusion and never halted til
they were ten miles from Springfield.
This practically put an end to the re
bellion of Shays, although some of tn
insurgents fingered in the field fo
several months. Though the insured
ton was thus easily crushed, it was no
without an important influence upo
the political history of the country. ]
caused not only the people of Massa
chusetts, but of the other colonies
realize the loose character of the con
federation, to become more and NOR
convinced of the political necessity st
form more perfect union" in tn
words of the preamble of the Federa
constitution, establish justice, insur
domestic tranquility, provide for tn
general defense and secure the bless
ings of liberty" For the unwittin
share of Shays' rebellion in conhibu
ing to this benefcent consummatio
due recognition should be given.-Dt
Monies (Id.O Leader.